How can we create novel, low-cost surgical training modules for surgeons and surgical trainees in resource-constrained settings?

Challenge Overview

The Intuitive Foundation, in partnership with MIT Solve and Nesta Challenges,  launched the Global Surgical Training Challenge to deliver novel, low-cost surgical training modules for surgeons and surgical trainees, especially in resource-constrained settings around the world.

This Challenge, funded by the Intuitive Foundation, will award grants in phases, starting with Discovery Awards of up to $200,000 to at least ten teams in December 2020 to support prototype development. $500,000 will be awarded at the Finalist stage to advance model development, and $1 million will be awarded to the team that has demonstrated that its original model and additional models developed as a Finalist are validated and impactful.

Who are we looking for? 

Do you have a passion for surgical education or specialize in the creation of simulation technology? We are looking for: 

• Education specialists with experience working in resource-constrained settings;  

• Surgeons, midwives, and nurses with experience working in resource-constrained settings;

• Engineers and software and game developers; and 

• Artists, medical illustrators, and designers.

How can you participate?

For this Challenge, Solve will host Solveathon workshops—virtual, high-energy workshops designed to build teams and strengthen applications—in five regions, starting in July 2020. We encourage all interested applicants to participate in these workshops to prepare for the Challenge. Click here for more information and to register.

During these workshops, you will:

• Connect with professionals interested in surgical training;

• Further your understanding of the Challenge and the requirements to apply;

• Build or expand your project team;

• Refine your project through facilitated design thinking activities developed at Solve; and

• Learn to compile a skills assessment framework.

How can you apply?

The Discovery Awards will accept submissions from September 16 through November 11, 2020. Sharing a project on MIT Solve's website is designed to help build teams and refine surgical training projects for the Challenge. You will need to complete a separate application via this link to be considered for the Discovery Awards. 

Solveathon Workshops

What's a Solveathon?

A Solveathon is a virtual, high-energy workshop designed to build teams and strengthen projects for the Global Surgical Training Challenge.

During these Solveathon workshops, you innovators:

• Connect with professionals who are interested in surgical training
• Further your understanding of the Challenge and requirements to compete
• Build or expand your project team
• Refine your project through facilitated design thinking activities developed by MIT Solve
• Learn to compile a skills assessment framework

MIT Solve hosted Solveathon workshops in five regions globally starting between July  and October 2020. Each region had three activities: online networking, a Team Building Solveathon, and a Refinement Solveathon. 

Online Networking

Want to network with fellow surgical training professionals? Join our Slack workspace to chat about your project with people from around the world, and in your region. You’ll also post your project idea on MIT Solve’s open innovation platform to describe your work to others. Register below for a workshop to join our Slack workplace. 

Team Building Solveathon

Have an idea but need a team? Join a virtual Team Building Solveathon to network with multi-disciplinary professionals in your region. This workshop is recommended for early-stage projects.

Refinement Solveathon

Want to improve your project idea? Join a virtual Refinement Solveathon to improve your project idea through a series of human centered design activities. You’ll also get feedback on your project idea from technical experts. 

Register for Solveathon Workshops

Below are the regions in which Solveathon Workshops have already taken place. Participants joined the workshop region that was most relevant to their work or in a convenient time zone. 

• Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Team Building Solveathon | Tuesday, July 28 at 7-8:30pm Central Africa Time
  • Refinement Solveathon | Saturday, August 15 at 5-8pm Central Africa Time
• Latin America & the Caribbean 
  • Team Building Solveathon | Tuesday, August 25 at 7:30-9pm Eastern Standard Time
  • Refinement Solveathon | Saturday, September 5 at 12-3pm Eastern Standard Time

• Eastern Europe + Middle East & North Africa
  • Team Building Solveathon | Tuesday, September 8 at 7:30-9pm East Africa Time
  • Refinement Solveathon | Saturday, September 19 at 5-8pm East Africa Time
• South Asia
  • Team Building Solveathon | Tuesday, September 22 at 7:30-9pm Maldives Time
  • Refinement Solveathon | Saturday, October 3 at 5-8pm Maldives Time
• East Asia & Pacific 
  • Team Building Solveathon | Tuesday, October 6 at 7:30-9pm Japan Standard Time
  • Refinement Solveathon | Saturday, October 17 at 5-8pm Japan Standard Time

FAQs

Check out frequently asked questions about the Global Surgical Training Challenge here.